Spiders may be helpful creatures, but that doesn’t mean we want them crawling across the kitchen floor or popping up in the shower. While many spiders are harmless and even help control other bugs, the thought of sharing space with them can still be uncomfortable. If you’re looking for the best spider control in Redmond, it helps to know which methods work, and which ones don’t, when it comes to getting rid of these eight-legged visitors.
Let’s walk through the options, both natural and chemical, and help you find the safest, easiest solution for your spider problem.
Why Are Spiders in My Home?
Most spiders prefer to stay outside. But when they come indoors, they’re usually looking for two things: food and shelter. If your home has ants, flies, or other small insects, spiders may follow. They tend to settle in quiet places like basements, attics, closets, and behind furniture where they can spin webs and wait for a snack.
Although most house spiders won’t harm you, a few species like the brown recluse or black widow can be dangerous. Even if they’re not biting, their webs and presence can be a nuisance.
Should You Kill Spiders?
Here’s the thing, spiders actually eat many of the bugs you don’t want in your home, like mosquitoes, flies, and even cockroaches. In a way, they’re tiny pest control experts. But for people with arachnophobia, allergies, or just a strong dislike of creepy-crawlies, that’s not enough of a reason to let them stay.
If you’re not comfortable sharing your space with them, there are safe and effective ways to get rid of them.
Quick Ways to Kill Spiders
If you spot a spider and need it gone right away, try one of these fast options:
1. Insecticide Spray
Use a store-bought spider spray designed to kill on contact. These sprays often work instantly, but be careful around kids and pets. Avoid spraying where they eat or play.
2. Squishing
Old school but effective. Use a tissue, shoe, or paper towel. It’s not for the squeamish, but it gets the job done.
3. Vacuum Them Up
Use a vacuum with strong suction to remove spiders, webs, and egg sacs. Just make sure to empty the vacuum outside right after.
4. Pest Foggers
Also called “bug bombs,” these fill a room with insect-killing mist. You’ll need to leave the house for a few hours and follow all safety instructions carefully.
Natural Ways to Kill or Repel Spiders
Prefer to avoid harsh chemicals? These everyday household items can help:
1. Vinegar
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. The acetic acid harms spiders and also works as a repellent. Spray along cracks, corners, and entryways.
2. Baking Soda
Sprinkling baking soda in spider-prone areas can deter them with its odor, even if we humans can barely smell it.
3. Essential Oils
Spiders hate strong smells like peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil. Add a few drops to water in a spray bottle and mist around the house. Bonus: your home will smell amazing.
4. Turmeric or Yeast
These aren’t the most powerful options, but they help repel insects that spiders eat. Fewer bugs = fewer spiders.
Best Long-Term Spider Control Tips
Killing spiders is one thing, but keeping them from coming back is just as important. Try these long-term fixes:
- Seal Cracks and Gaps: Check around windows, doors, and your home’s foundation. Tiny holes are an open invitation.
- Clean Regularly: Dust and vacuum often, especially corners and basements where webs form.
- Clear Outdoor Debris: Remove leaves, firewood, and clutter near your home’s exterior. These are prime spider hideouts.
- Use Barrier Sprays: Outdoor treatments help keep spiders and other pests away before they even step inside.
When to Call in the Pros
If spiders are showing up everywhere, or if you suspect venomous ones like brown recluses, it might be time for professional help. Experts use stronger treatments that reach into cracks and crevices where spiders hide, and they also apply yard sprays that reduce the bug population around your home.
Final Thoughts
So, what’s the best way to kill spiders? It depends on how comfortable you are with them and how serious the problem is. If it’s just one spider here and there, a quick spray or vacuum should do the trick. But if you’re seeing webs in every corner or suspect a dangerous species, more serious steps, or professional treatment, might be needed.
Whether you choose a natural solution or a chemical one, the key is to stay consistent and keep your home clean and sealed up. That way, spiders won’t want to move in at all.
